You've probably seen this meme around the blogosphere already, but I was tagged by the lovely Elle to share 5 things about me. So, here we go - five totally random things about me:

1. I'm kind of a total romantic. Not in the roses and poetry and candlelight way, but in the "I believe in true love" way. Sappy, right? I don't think I tend to act that way in real life, but inside...I'm a true believer. Which is possibly also why I may end up single forever, but honestly, I'd rather be single than be in the wrong relationship. (Bonus: any relationship drama in my life is not my own!)

2. I'm not a sports person at all, and up until three years ago all I knew about football was what a touchdown was (you know, the equivalent of a goal. Don't ask me how many points a touchdown's worth though!). Today, partly due to Friday Night Lights,  I am a huge 49ers fan. (Even though I only know the basic rules and sometimes am not altogether sure what's going on.)

3. Sometimes I forget I have a law degree. Probably only because I never actually use anything I learned in law school, but still. How does one forget that they have a law degree?

4. When I was little, my parents asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up and I said, "A waitress." My parents freaked out until they had the bright idea to question me a little further, and when asked why I wanted to be a waitress, I answered, "Because I like the little notepad and pen." See, a love of stationery starts young!

5. One of the best days of my life was the day I realized I could read. I remember it so vividly - Lauren and I had "camped" in my parents' room in the giant sleeping bag, and I had tucked The Cat in the Hat under my pillow because that was my newest book (I used to keep all my newest things under my pillow because I was so excited about them that I wanted them within easy reach as soon I woke up the next morning), and the next morning I pulled it out, sat up, and started reading it aloud all by myself. I remember just getting more and more excited until I finished the entire book by myself. And that feeling is the reason I'm starting to go through training to help eradicate adult illiteracy next week. Can you imagine not even being able to fill out, say, a form at the post office or bank by yourself? We're not even talking about enjoying reading just for the love of it, but about functioning as an adult every day. I'm excited to have found a cause that I am so passionate about, and can't wait to start volunteering!

I have a weakness for soup noodles, especially when it's cold out - it's a perfect wintry comfort treat, so I was especially eager to try Candice Kumai's Lime Chicken Soup (yes, I'm still loving her cookbook because everything is both delicious and actually healthy!), which is based on Vietnamese pho (which I love!). (And yes, I recognize that it's "officially" spring, but until it actually warms up it's still winter to me!)

This recipe was definitely somewhat more difficult in terms of figuring out how I was supposed to prep the vegetables, but aside from that it's super easy so I think next time I make it it'll go really quickly!

8 cups chicken stock, homemade or store-bought

4 star anise (I didn't use any because Trader's didn't sell it and I didn't feel like trekking to Whole Foods as well to hunt them down.)

1/2 teaspoon chili flakes or 1 dried chile pepper (optional)

2 cups shredded leftover chicken (As if I have "leftover" chicken...I ended up buying the ready made cubed chicken from Traders and using that.)

1 medium carrot, peeled, thinly sliced, and julienned

1 cup sugar snap peas, thinly sliced on the bias

8 oz rice noodles

Zest and juice of 1 lime

1 tablespoon sea salt, or to taste (I didn't end up adding any salt)

Chopped cilantro to garnish (I didn't use any as I'm not a fan of cilantro)

Sriracha hot sauce (optional - I didn't use any because I didn't have any. I know, how am I Asian and don't have Sriracha? Luckily, it was spicy enough that I didn't feel like I needed to add any in)

More after the jump:

I'm not a person who likes to spend money on my hair - I generally get it cut twice a year, rarely colored it, and mostly left it on its own to do its thing. (I rarely even blow dry it, unless I'm about to go to bed, or go out in the winter and it isn't dried yet.) That said, I do believe that the cut and color makes a huge difference, and there are currently only two people in the world that I trust with my mane!

For cuts:

 One beauty trend I've been noticing (and loving) lately is blue eyeliner and orange lips - the color combination is so fresh and gorgeous, perfect for spring!

Also, a great eyeshadow I'd recommend for both of these looks is BareMinerals Ready Eyeshadow 4.0 in The Elements:

 This palette has a blue to go over your eyeliner in the Dramatic Eyes look, plus the orangey color is great for a sheer wash of color over the lid in that same look (go lightly with that one though!). And, the lightest color, Air (top left corner), is perfect for your lids in the Hot Lips look, while the gray is perfect for right under the brow bone in the same look. (BTW, I have a couple of the BareMinerals eyeshadow palettes and the color payoff and quality are great!)

I actually recreated the Dramatic Eyes look this past weekend - it was fun! These looks are just so fresh, which is why I love them. Would you try these?

For work: 

I've said it before, but there are three essential components for a work bag: 1. It must be big enough to hold papers if necessary; 2. It should be in a neutral color so that it isn't too flashy and will go with pretty much every work outfit you wear; and 3. It should have the option to carry it on your shoulder in case it gets heavy during your commute (assuming you don't drive to work). Both of the bags I chose to feature have all of the above, and I know I was using my Emilie for work all the time.

1. Michael Kors | 2. Alexander Wang Emilie 

For dressed up fun: 

Clutches are perfect for evening - all they have to hold are your credit cards, a little cash, your phone and keys, and they're so chic! They're perfect for weddings, drinks with the girls, or pretty much any evening event. Depending on your lifestyle, I'd recommend having a few in different colors, as they're also perfect to add a little pop of color to your outfit.

3. Saint Laurent | 4. Coach | 5. Style & Co. 

For weekends/the gym: 

These bags are great for short vacations like a weekend away, for the gym, and as a carry on when you travel. (I've been lusting after the Lo and Sons OMG bag for ages, but I currently use my Longchamp and love it because it's light and big enough to carry extra things on trips, run errands with, and still fits under the seat in front of me on an airplane.)

6. Lo and Sons | 7. Longchamp 

For travel day: 

Cross body bags are great for travel because they leave you hands-free, and these options are big enough to still carry a camera along with my daily essentials, perfect for walking around and exploring new places all day. (If you haven't noticed, I use my Mulberry Alexa all the time when I'm traveling because I can fit everything in it!)

8. Mulberry Alexa | 9. Proenza Schouler PS1

For hands-free fun: 

This category isn't really essential, but I know I like to have a hands free option for nighttime as well - how better to hold a drink in one hand, and a date's hand with the other? 

10. Rebecca Minkoff Mini MAC | 11. Rachel Roy

What would you say are your essential types of bags?

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Blazer: Cartonnier (similar & on sale) | Shirt: Gap (other colors) | Long-sleeve shirt: Club Monaco (similar) | Skirt: J. Crew (on major sale!) | Tights: Madewell | Boots: Vince Camuto | Bag: Mulberry (similar) | Necklace: mark. (out on 3/23)

I am literally trying to will Spring into coming by wearing less layers...unfortunately, aside from sunnier days, the temps haven't been consistently warm yet, but I remain hopeful!

Photos by Lauren

Happy Monday!

I normally wouldn't post two Recipe Reviews in a row, but after posting this photo on Facebook & Instagram:

 I got so many requests for the recipe that I thought I'd just post it today! (You're welcome!)

This was a recipe I'd been wanting to try for a while, and I got into a baking mood and headed to Whole Foods to pick up the three things I didn't have for this recipe. (Good thing my sister bakes every once in a while and had an abundance of all the rest of the ingredients already! Thanks Sis!)

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons butter, at room temperature (I used unsalted, though the recipe doesn't specify)

1/2 cup mashed banana (which is just about one banana mashed)

1 cup packed brown sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 eggs

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon aluminum-free baking powder

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

3 cups cornflakes, crushed (preferably organic)

2 tablespoons shredded sweetened coconut (optional)

More after the jump:

One note: This recipe is for 4 servings and I've made the whole recipe for a few people as well as an individual portion, so I noted what I did for the individual portion with each step, marked with an asterisk.

Caper-Lemon Dressing*

1/4 cup caper brine (from the caper jar)

1 teaspoon dried oregano

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1/4 teaspoon sea salt

1/2 teaspoon honey or agave nectar (optional)
*I made the whole thing for the dressing even when I made it for myself, to save me the hassle of dividing tiny portions, and to save the hassle of having to make more the next time I wanted salad!

Salad
4 cups wild arugula (*I used 1 cup)
1/2 cup capers (*I put a spoonful in)
1 cup cannellini beans (aka kidney beans)
1/4 cup goat cheese, crumbled (*I put a spoonful on top)
12 thin slices lox (wild smoked salmon) (Mine didn't come in slices, so I just separated some and put it on top!)

More after the jump:

So since I started freelance personal styling about a month ago, I've gotten people asking whether the service is available internationally, I've had a boy ask me if I could help him, and I've also had friends in New York asking if I could physically go shopping with them to help them out. As a result, I decided to start my own consulting/personal styling business that would provide a styling service that would address all those needs and more (and make it affordable!), and I am thrilled to announce that my styling services are here!

Check out my snazzy website (the design of which I spent the better part of four days figuring out!)

So what kind of clients are perfect for this?
-If you want access to a personal stylist but don't live in New York or the US, we can do eConsulting
-Men, who want help with their wardrobes, or simply don't want to shop
-If you live in New York and want a personal shopping companion to guide you to what looks good on you
-If you need help editing your wardrobe and putting outfits together
-If you're busy with a full time job and don't have the time to shop, send me your list and I'll take care of it for you.

Plus, for my "Grand Opening", I'm offering 25% off all services for all first-time clients who book with me before April 1, so go check out the services page on my website stylingbyjess.com (there's also a link in the navigation bar above), and spread the word!

I also created a Facebook page for my business so I'd appreciate it if you would "like" it!

Thank you so much for all your support! Let me know if you have any questions either through email, or in the comments!

Styling by Jess

In general, wherever there's some bare skin is the perfect opportunity to add a piece of jewelry, and jewelry is the perfect accessory to add some sparkle, some edge, or some color to your outfit.

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I hope everyone had a great weekend! I spent mine dog sitting for my sister's friend:

Yesterday I went to The Met for the Impressionism, Fashion, and Modernity exhibit. I loved it! I wish I could have taken pictures to post here, but you can get an idea from the photo of the postcards I bought, above. (Although, of course, the real paintings are much more impressive!) It was so interesting especially in light of all the street style photos and fashion bloggers today - same kind of idea, but a totally different medium. The exhibit explains the beginning of art changing from portraits with the focal point on the subject, to the focal point adjusting to the subject's outfit and dress, set in day-to-day scenarios, such as picnicking in the park, coming into the conservatory (postcard on the left), and the like. If you live in New York or are coming before the exhibit ends on May 27, I highly recommend it! 

What did you get up to this weekend?

Announcing a new column - Recipe Review! I decided to share my adventures in the kitchen - I am by no means a good chef, and that's kind of the point. I like to try new recipes all the time, and because I'm such a beginner I thought it might be helpful to share the recipes and add in tips and things that I didn't know until I went through the process of making something. Enjoy!

First up: Roasted Garlic-Lentil Soup, from Candice Kumai's Cook Yourself Sexy: Easy Delicious Recipes for the Hottest, Most Confident You